Every league carves out its own identity. The Mid-Suburban League is a battle of attrition. Every program must account for the league Goliath -- defending state champion Barrington. The first rule is that nothing ever quite stays the same.

No team illustrates the example like Hersey. The Huskies put together their most impressive run of the season last week in stunning Fremd and beating Palatine and Hoffman Estates. They also played undefeated Prairie Ridge, ranked no. 23 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, well in a narrow loss.

The sharp play evaporated on Tuesday night in a 3-0 loss against Conant.

“We played a lackluster, slow, and uninspired game,” Hersey coach Darren Llewellyn said “I don't know how that translates to tonight, but if we play the same as last week it could be a win. If we play as we did last night it could be a long night.”

The Huskies travel to meet Prospect Wednesday evening in a crucial game in the East Division. Hersey (5-10-1, 5-3-1). With 16 points, Hersey trails Buffalo Grove by two points. Prospect (8-6-1, 4-3-1) has 13 points and has played one fewer conference game.

Hersey has overcome an exceptionally difficult start after going winless (0-5-1) through its first six games. The very hope Llewellyn carried on the year has played out. A young, talented team has started to come of age.

“They have always been known for their defense and how hard they play, but this year they have some very good attacking pieces,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said.

Senior midfielder Laura Burckhardt is the Huskies’ most electrifying offensive talent. She scored the game-winner over Hoffman Estates last week. “She has been amazing on both sides of the ball and has been our workhorse,” Llewellyn said.

Hersey’s conservative, packed in style has always discombobulated teams. The defense has really matured, according to the coach.

“Our defense with [freshman] Jane Stephaniak, Jenna Hill, Katrina Seugalla, Krista Thuer and Emma Wilson has been consistent in the last five-to-seven games shutting down some pretty good teams,” he said. A concern is how the team is going to hold up after facing a battery of opponents in the last week.

“My only worry is that they are tired and beat up and that it will have an effect on their play down the stretch,” Llewellyn said.

In Prospect, Hersey faces a hungry team also trying to sort out its sometimes Jekyll and Hyde personality. “They are a strong attacking team with pretty good athleticism,” he said. “They are awesome some games and struggle others, like most of us this season.”

Prospect’s volatile offensive performance showed over the weekend at the Glenwood Invite in Chatham. Shawna Stokes scored two goals and Faith Fitzsimmons contributed a goal and assist in the Knights’ dominant 4-0 victory over Morton in the tournament semifinals. Prospect lost the penalty shootout 4-3 against Maine South in the sixth round after a scoreless regulation and two overtimes.

The Knights also suffered a 1-0 double-overtime loss against Elk Grove last Wednesday.

“When you play against these kind of defenses we see in the Mid-Suburban, your offense has to be so clean and precise,” Froats said. “I think we are moving the ball well, and we are combining well from the back. It is just in that final [scoring] third that we sometimes need that extra push.”

The inconsistency and an exceptionally difficult slate of games accounts for the Knights’ 1-4-1 record since they started the year 7-2-0. Prospect remains formidable with standout junior forwards Ella Marzolf, Ashley Welk and Abbey Danciu. Natalie Marfilius, Fitzsimmons and Stokes, each senior midfielders, control the center of the park.

Junior forward Ashley Adams has also come on of late.

The backline of Helen Siavelis, Ashley Erickson, Madalyn Ladd and Alexa Mitka has also been stellar. Prospect has two quality keepers in senior Gianna Rossi and freshman Isabella Hubrich.

“The [Hersey] game is going to be physical, and we have to take advantage and finish our offensive chances and minimize any mistakes,” Froats said.